LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB Fox 41)---A four lane section of Brownsboro Road near the Clinfton and Clifton Heights area has become controversial to say the least.
A proposed plan will make one lane a turning lane, and replace another with sidewalks.
It's something Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh says must happen to slow down traffic on the busy road, and accommodate the nearby blind population living and working in the area.
"They deserve a safe way to live their daily lives, and that means they need sidewalks," says Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh who represents District 9.
Right now the sidewalks aren't continuous along this section of Brownsboro Road.
"You have sidewalks for part of the way on these roads, and then all of a sudden they just stop," says Barbara Henning, who is blind and lives nearby.
Bill Deatherage says it makes it difficult for him and his guide dog PJ to walk around.
"You'd be walking out in traffic to try to walk there if you walked on this side," says Bill Deatherage, the President of the Kentucky Council of the Blind.
On the other side of the debate is a group of people, including some business owners that make up an organization that they are calling Save42.org.
"Everyone with whom we're speaking are adamantly against it. Adamantly opposed to it," says Jim Dahlem, with Dahlem Enterprises.
They say taking away two lanes for driving will impact the area.
"People will take other routes going to and from downtown Louisville and it's going to hurt businesses," says Jim Dahlem.
Opponents are calling for other ways to slow down traffic, such as traffic lights or changing the speed limit, rather than reducing the number of lanes.
"I think they should put crosswalks instead of making it fewer lanes," says Jessica Martin, a former student at the Kentucky School for the Blind.
While Councilwoman Ward-Pugh says the project is moving forward for now, and she isn't aware of any arguments that will stop it, she says officials are willing to listen to what opponents are saying.
"If for any reason Public Works or the State Department of Transportation says we've got new information and this is going to be dangerous, I can promise you we will stop the project," says Councilwoman Ward-Pugh.
Opponents say they declined to go to a forum this past week, because officials have told them the project is still moving forward.
Officials tell us this project has been in the works for nearly 12 years, but opponents of the plan say they didn't receive notice about it.
It is expected to start once the Sherman Minton Bridge reopens.
To see a petition that supports this proposed plan, click here.
To see the petition that opposed the plan, click here.
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